Moving to Newark, Delaware

by btobers · Published June 10, 2019 · Updated November 18, 2024

Newark, Delaware is a small city with a population of approximately 33,000 people. It is located in New Castle County on the banks of the Christina River and is part of the greater Wilmington metropolitan area. The geography of Newark is mostly flat with some hills and valleys near the city’s boundaries. The climate is typical for the Mid-Atlantic region with hot summers and cold winters.

The history of Newark dates back to its founding in 1694 as a stop on an important trade route between Philadelphia and Baltimore. The area grew steadily throughout the 1700s and 1800s, becoming an important center for agriculture, commerce, and industry. In recent decades, Newark has become increasingly diverse with growing populations of African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and other minority groups.

In terms of politics, Newark has been historically Democratic due to its proximity to Philadelphia. However, it has become more diverse in recent years as more people from different backgrounds have moved into the city. In general, residents tend to be liberal-leaning but not overly partisan in their political views.

The economy of Newark is largely based on education and healthcare services as well as retail stores in downtown areas like Main Street Marketplace or White Clay Creek Country Club Plaza Shopping Center. There are also several large employers such as Christiana Care Health System or University of Delaware that provide many jobs to local residents.

Schools in Newark include public schools managed by Christina School District as well as several private elementary schools like St Andrew’s School or Ursuline Academy High School for girls only. There are also several higher education institutions including University of Delaware which was founded in 1743 making it one of the oldest colleges in America!

Finally, there are many landmarks that make up this vibrant city including Old College Hall at University of Delaware which was built all the way back in 1834; White Clay Creek State Park which provides plenty outdoor activities; Iron Hill Museum which showcases artifacts from early settlers; Main Street Marketplace where you can find anything from vintage clothing stores to modern restaurants; and finally Christiana Mall which features over 120 shops!

Newark is located at 23km southwest of Wilmington. The University of Delaware, a beautiful college established in 1765, is based in Newark. Though you may not associate Delaware with Abe Lincoln, the university’s Goodstay Center contains more than 2,000 items relating to the career and private life of the president. Newark is near the site of Delaware’s only battle in the Revolutionary War. It’s said that Betsy Ross’ flag was flown there for the first time. Iron Hill Park preserves the Cooch’s Bridge battlefield and has several trails for hiking and nature study.

Population: 28,547. Estimated population in July 2024: 30,060 (+5.3% change)
Males: 13,132 (46.0%), Females: 15,415 (54.0%)

New Castle County

Zip codes: 19702, 19711, 19713.

Demographics

Median resident age: 22.6 years
Median household income: $48,758
Median house value: $153,300

Population by Race

Races in Newark:

White Non-Hispanic (85.7%)
Black (6.0%)
Hispanic (2.5%)
Chinese (1.7%)
Two or more races (1.6%)
Asian Indian (1.1%)
Other race (0.9%)

Ancestries: Irish (20.2%), German (17.2%), Italian (13.3%), English (13.1%), Polish (6.0%), United States (3.9%).

Elevation: 125 feet

Land area: 8.9 square miles

Map of Newark, DE

Population by Education

As of 2019, the population of Newark, Delaware is estimated at 33,817 people. The city has experienced a population growth rate of 2.9% since the 2010 census. This growth rate is slightly higher than the national average of 1.0%. Newark is a diverse community with a large percentage of residents identifying as White (64%), followed by African American (22%), Asian (6%), and Hispanic or Latino (8%). The median household income in Newark is $71,093 and the median age is 29 years old. The city also has a high percentage of college-educated adults, with 59% having at least some college education. Newark has a thriving economy with many companies located in or near the city limits such as University of Delaware, Christiana Care Health System, and WL Gore & Associates. The city also has an abundance of parks, trails, and open spaces for residents to enjoy year-round. With its convenient location to Philadelphia and Washington DC., Newark provides easy access to major cities for those looking for employment or entertainment opportunities outside the area.

For population 25 years and over in Newark

High school or higher: 93.4%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 51.3%
Graduate or professional degree: 21.9%
Unemployed: 12.6%
Mean travel time to work: 21.6 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Newark city

Never married: 51.5%
Now married: 38.2%
Separated: 1.0%
Widowed: 4.9%
Divorced: 4.4%

7.4% Foreign born (3.6% Asia, 2.1% Europe, 1.0% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: +1,590 (+5.9%).

Hospitals

Hospital/medical center in Newark:

ROCKFORD CENTER (100 ROCKFORD DRIVE)

Other hospitals/medical centers near Newark:

UNION HOSPITAL-CECIL COUNTY (about 7 miles; ELKTON, MD)
ALFRED I DUPONT INSTITUTE (about 10 miles; WILMINGTON, DE)
MEDICAL CNTR OF DELAWARE (about 10 miles; WILMINGTON, DE)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Newark:

NEW CASTLE COUNTY (about 11 miles; WILMINGTON, DE; Abbreviation: ILG)
PHILADELPHIA INTL (about 39 miles; PHILADELPHIA, PA; Abbreviation: PHL)
DOVER AFB (about 45 miles; DOVER, DE; Abbreviation: DOV)

Other public-use airports nearest to Newark:

RAINTREE (about 10 miles; ELKTON, MD; Abbreviation: 1C4)
NEW GARDEN (about 10 miles; TOUGHKENAMON, PA; Abbreviation: N57)
CECIL COUNTY (about 11 miles; ELKTON, MD; Abbreviation: 58M)

Amtrak station:
NEWARK (429 S. COLLEGE AVE.). Services: public payphones, free short-term parking, call for car rental service, call for taxi service, public transit connection.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/Universities in Newark:

UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE (Full-time enrollment: 17,786; Public; Website: www.udel.edu; Offers Doctor’s degree)
DELAWARE TECHNICAL & COMM COLL-STANTON-WILMINGTON (Full-time enrollment: 3,817; Location: 400 STANTON-CHRISTIANA RD; Public; Website: www.dtcc.edu)
SCHILLING-DOUGLAS SCHOOL OF HAIR DESIGN (Full-time enrollment: 60; Location: 70 AMSTEL AVE; Private, for-profit)
HAIR ACADEMY (Location: 1013 S COLLEGE AVE 896 SHOPS; Private, for-profit)

Other colleges/universities with over 2000 students near Newark:

WILMINGTON COLLEGE (about 12 miles; NEW CASTLE, DE; Full-time enrollment: 3,087)
WEST CHESTER UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA (about 22 miles; WEST CHESTER, PA; Full-time enrollment: 10,419)
IMMACULATA COLLEGE (about 28 miles; IMMACULATA, PA; Full-time enrollment: 2,042)
WIDENER UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS (about 29 miles; CHESTER, PA; Full-time enrollment: 3,646)
DELAWARE COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 30 miles; MEDIA, PA; Full-time enrollment: 5,248)
EASTERN COLLEGE (about 36 miles; ST DAVIDS, PA; Full-time enrollment: 2,456)
VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY (about 38 miles; VILLANOVA, PA; Full-time enrollment: 8,547)

Schools

Public high schools in Newark:

NEWARK HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,924; Location: 750 EAST DELAWARE AVENUE; Grades: 08 – 12)
GLASGOW HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,505; Location: 1901 SOUTH COLLEGE AVENUE; Grades: 08 – 12)
CHRISTIANA HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,398; Location: 190 SALEM CHURCH ROAD; Grades: 08 – 12)
PAUL M. HODGSON VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,101; Location: 2575 GLASGOW AVENUE; Grades: 08 – 12)

Private high schools in Newark:

FAITH CITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Students: 259; Location: 179 CHRISTIANA-STANTN RD; Grades: PK – 12)
CHRISTIANA CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (Students: 246; Location: 179 STANTON CHRISTIANA; Grades: PK – 12)

Biggest public primary/middle schools in Newark:

GAUGER-COBBS MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 1,126; Location: 50 GENDER ROAD; Grades: 07 – 08)
SHUE-MEDILL MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 1,014; Location: 1500 CAPITOL TRAIL; Grades: 07 – 08)
GEORGE V. KIRK MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 1,010; Location: 140 BRENNEN DRIVE; Grades: 07 – 08)
WILLIAM B. KEENE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 704; Location: 200 LAGRANGE AVENUE; Grades: KG – 04)
FOREST OAK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 690; Location: 55 SOUTH MEADOWOOD DRIVE; Grades: KG – 05)
THURGOOD MARSHALL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 681; Location: 101 BARRETT RUN ROAD; Grades: KG – 04)
MAY B. LEASURE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 649; Location: 1015 CHURCH ROAD; Grades: KG – 04)
HENRY M. BRADER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 637; Location: 107 FOUR SEASONS PARKWAY; Grades: PK – 04)
NEWARK CHARTER SCHOOL (Students: 621; Location: 2001 PATRIOT WAY; Grades: 05 – 08)
ETTA J. WILSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 566; Location: 14 FORGE ROAD; Grades: KG – 04)

Biggest private primary/middle schools in Newark:

THE INDEPENDENCE SCHOOL (Students: 716; Location: 1300 PAPER MILL ROAD; Grades: PK – 8)
PIKE CREEK CHRISTIAN (Students: 393; Location: 199 POLLY DRUMMOND HILL; Grades: PK – 8)
ALETHEIA SCHOOL (Students: 210; Location: 91 SALEM CHURCH ROAD; Grades: KG – 8)
TUTOR TIME CHILD CARE (Students: 170; Location: 491 SOUTH HARMONY ROAD; Grades: PK – KG)
NEWARK CTR CREATIVE LEARNING (Students: 95; Location: 401 PHILLIPS AVENUE; Grades: UG – UG)
ST JOHNS LUTHERAN SCHOOL (Students: 66; Location: 135 S OLD BALTIMORE PIKE; Grades: PK – 8)
LABORATORY PRESCHOOL (UD) (Students: 66; Location: 112 ALISON HALL; Grades: PK – KG)
NEWARK DAY NURSERY ASSOC INC (Students: 61; Location: 921 BARKSDALE RD; Grades: PK – KG)
ST PAULS LUTHERAN SCHOOL (Students: 53; Location: 701 SOUTH COLLEGE AVE; Grades: PK – KG)
THE NEW SCHOOL (Students: 48; Location: 812 ELKTON ROAD PO BOX 947; Grades: UG – UG)

Libraries

Library in Newark:

NEWARK FREE LIBRARY (Operating income: $959,950; Location: 750 LIBRARY AVENUE; 87,157 books; 6,342 audio materials; 1,619 video materials; 308 serial subscriptions)